Archive for March, 2009

There are two little-known widely- separated anecdotes about the celebrated Hindi film playback singer, Mohammad Rafi, which I try to connect here to reveal some thing about the man’s faith and beliefs.

Nastik (1954)

I remember reading in about 1957 or earlierin a Hindi film magazine ( Filmi Dunia, Filmi Kaliyan or the like) a short piece onNastik , made in 1954. The film is well known for its song “ Dekh tere sansaar ki haalat kya ho gayi Bhagwaan , ki kitna badal gaya insaan”, sung by the lyricist Pradeep. According to the write-up the song was first offered to Mohammad Rafi who declined. It was then sung by the poet himself. The way the magazine presented the story, it was as if Rafi failed to recognize a hit song in the offing;

Dharmaputra (1962)

In the mid 1990s, I met the well-knownmusic director Ravi in Bangalore. Ravi gave the music for Baldev Raj Chopra’s film 1963Gumrah, which included a fine poem by Sahir: “ Chalo ik baar phir se ajnabi ban jaayen hum dono”. Was Mahendra Kapur Ravi’s own choiceas the voice for the poem? No. Ravi wanted Mohammad Rafi to sing the song , but Chopra suggested Mahendra Kapur. Why not Rafi? Ravi hadasked the question and got the answer.

In 1962 Chopra made a “patriotic” movie Dharmaputra which contained a Qawwali “ Yeh Masjid hai who But-khana, maqsad to hai dil ko samjhaana, chahey yey maano ya who maano”. Chopra wanted this to be sung jointly by Rafi and Mahendra Kapur. But Rafi excused himselfwith therather lame excusethat sinceMahendra Kapur’s voice resembled Rafi’s , Chopra should pair somebody else with Kapur. Chopra no doubt felt that two similar-sounding singers will go well with the theme of the song. A cut-up Chopra then decided to keep Rafi out of Gumrah.

Analysis

Rafi was a God-fearing person. He had no problem singing “Hindu bhajans” like “O Duniya ke rakhwaaley , sun dard bharey mere naale” , because they show man in an obedient position with respect to the Almighty. But he probably baulked atputting God on the defensive as in “ Dekh tere sansaar kihaalat”. Rafi was a devout Muslim. Although he no doubt respected other religions, he could not bring himself toequating a mosque with a but-khana.

Kapurthala, February 28
Man-made activities including rapid industrialisation and deforestation pose a huge threat to life on the planet. This was stated by emeritus scientist, Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research, Chandigarh and former director of the National Institute of Science and Technology and Development Studies (NISTDS), New Delhi, Dr. Rajesh Kochhar, while addressing a gathering at a function organised to mark National Science Day at the conventional hall of the Pushpa Gujral Science City (PGSC) on Saturday.

Dr. Kochhar said there is a gap of 23 days between the natural and Vikrami calendar. This gap has developed over the last 1,500 years.

He suggested that the error should be rectified by adjusting the Vikrami calendar according to nature.

Elaborating on the issue, he said the Vikrami calendar is a twin-track calendar. It keeps track of Samkranti as well as Amavasya and Poornima.

Further, seasonal festivals are all associated with the astronomical position of the Sun, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, PGSC director general Dr. RS Khandpur said PGSC has been celebrating the National Science Day every year on February 28 to acknowledge and remember Nobel laureate Sir CV Raman for inventing the Raman Effect on this day.

Painting, quiz, debate and science play contests were organised among the students of different educational institutes on this occasion.